Fruit gatherer



G. W. HELSEL FRUIT GATHERER Oct. 15, 1929.

Filed Sept. 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 4E7. H 6115 el ATTORN EV WITNESS:

Oct. 15, 1929. G. w. HELSEL 1,732,127

' FRUIT GATHERER Filed Sept. 19, 1927 2 Sheet-Shet 2 INVENTOR WITNESS:ATTORNEY 421KB" 628 el Patented Oct. 15, 1929 GEORGE W. HELSEL,

OF COLUMBUS, OHIO FRUIT GATI-IEBER Application filed September 1 9,1927. Serial No. 220,608.

This invention has particular relation to fruit gatherers adapted foruse beneath trees to catch and deposit falling fruit.

An object of the invention comprehends a covering adapted for connectionwith the trunks and limbs of trees and to be spread for appreciabledistances beneath the branches to break the fall of the fruit and toprevent bruising.

Another object of the invention contemplates sections for the coveringadapted to sag toward the centers thereof to direct the falling fruitwithin the channels defined whereby the fruit may be convenientlydeposited within receptacles located adjacent the mouths of thechannels.

A further object of the invention consists of supporting members adaptedto elevate the sections appreciable distances above the receptacles.

More specifically stated .the sections are adapted for detachableengagement for application upon trees of different sizes and which areclosed at the intersections thereof to prevent fruit from passingtherebetween.

W'ith the above and other, objects in view, the invention furtherconsists of the following novel features and details of'construction, tobe hereinafter more fully described, illus- 3o trated in theaccompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings 2+- Figure 1 is an elevation of the invention while inuse. I

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of theconnecting means for the sections forapplication upon a tree trunk.

The gatherer as mentioned in the foregoing, is in the nature of acovering and which consists of a plurality of sector-shaped sections 10.Said sections are extended radially from a common center and having themeeting edges thereof connected in any suitable manner. 4

As shown in Figure 2 ofthe drawings, the

sections are adapted to provide semi-circular coverings; the adjacentside edges of the respective semi-circular coverings being joined byhook and eye connections, such as illustrated in Figure 3 of thedrawings. The apices of the sectors are abruptly tapered to providevertices 11. Hooks 12 are extended from each of the vertices. Anadjustable band 13 having eyes 14 upon the outer circumference thereofare'adapted for connection with the hooks 12. Said band is adapted toencircle a tree trunk or its branches or limbs in the manner as bestillustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. The side edges of the sectors10, other than the meeting sectors of the semi-circular coverings, areprovided with the hook and eye connections to provide openingstherebetween through which branches and limbs may be extended. The lineof openings defined at the points of connection between the respectivesemi-circular cover sections are normally closed by strips 15 to preventloss of fruit passing therethrough.

Loops 16 extended from the bases of each of the sectors are adapted forconnection with open looped portions 17 provided at appropriate pointsin the lengths of standards 18 to elevate such portions of the sectorsat suitable heights above the ground, It will thus be noted thatthetension of the loops 16 at the bases of the sectors will cause thecentral portions thereof to sag longitudinally Whereby fruit fallingupon the covering will be directed toward the sagging portions andsubsequently directed and deposited within receptacles 19 located at themouths of the sag portions.

It will thus be noted from the foregoing description and accompanyingdrawings that the sectors may be easily folded upon themselves at thepoints of connection to compactly store the entire device withinconfined area and in such condition the same may be conveniently carriedfrom one tree to another.

By reason of the fact that the sectors may be detachably connected, theinvention may be employed upon trees of any girth by adding ordiminishing the number of sectors. The arrangement of the sectors andthe sagging arrangement thereof will break the fall of falling fruit toprevent bruising and which will not cause the same to rebound by reasonof the fact that the sections are hung loosely to sag whereby the fruitmay be conveniently deposited in the receptacle.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportionsand minor details of construction, and the right is herein reserved tomake such changes as properly fall Within the scope of the appendedclaim.

Having thus described the invention, What I is claimed is A fruitgatherer comprising a covering composed of semi-circular portions, eachportion being formed of a plurality of sectorshaped sections, means forconnecting the adjacent portions of the semi-circular portions, theapices of the sections being oppositely beveled to abruptly formvertices, hooks carried by the vertices, an adjustable band adapted forconnection With a tree being pro vided with rings for connection Withsaid hooks the sections being adapted to sag axially of the longitudinalcenters thereof, and strips carried by the semi-circular portionsadjacent the meeting sides thereof to close the openings therebetween.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GEORGE VJ. HELSEL.

